Apple Watch Series 2 ticks all the boxes except the 'wow' factor

SAN FRANCISCO — Wearing the Apple Watch Series 2 is nothing new. That is, it doesn't inspire much in the way of "wow" moments where you can see, hear or feel something different. It's a new Apple Watch, same as the old Apple Watch.

That's not really true, of course. The Series 2, which starts at $369, has a new chip that makes it faster than original Apple Watch, now called Apple Watch Series 1. It also has a brighter screen (1,000 nits! Uh... what's a nit again?) and built-in GPS. There's also a Nike+ version for runners and new stylish looks for the designer Hermès editions. And the Series 2 comes in another material besides aluminum and stainless steel: ceramic, with a white, glossy exterior that looks just gorgeous.

But when I wore the new watch — the regular Series 2, ceramic, Nike+ and Hermès versions — there was only one moment when I was truly impressed: when I launched the Night Sky app and raised my wrist. Thanks to the GPS inside, a map of the stars moved with my hand, augmented reality-style.

But that was it — a fleeting, very specific use case. That's in contrast to the iPhone 7 and 7 Plus, which had many wow moments. The new way the home button clicks is odd but addictive. The feel of the Jet Black model is ridiculously sleek. Zooming with that new dual camera also qualifies.

On the Apple Watch Series 2, Apple seems to have strange ideas of what inspires "wow." This is one of the odder "features" of its new and improved water resistance: While you're swimming with the watch, it locks up, but twisting the digital crown (presumably when you're done swimming) will tell it to clean the water out of its speaker. The way Apple's product reps excitedly and repeatedly showed me the feature, you'd think they'd discovered the rarest of Pokémon.

Speaking of which, no, I didn't get a chance to play Pokémon Go on the Apple Watch, something that would definitely have been wow-worthy. Apparently it's nowhere near ready yet, since the game's release was only promised as "later this year."

ViewRanger, one of the first Apple Watch apps to use the built-in GPS

Image: Pete Pachal/mashable

Now that the iPhone is "swim proof," there are 2 swim options in the workout app.

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None of this is to say the Apple Watch Series 2 is bad. Its new features really only come into play — and have the chance to impress — in the right context. The two swimming workouts are only great if you're swimming. The brightness will come in handy outside on a sunny day. And the built-in GPS is whatevs most of the time, but crucial when you, say, track your position for a hike, or map a run without your phone.

If you're a runner, though, you'll have a new gadget to consider buying: the Apple Watch Nike+ edition (also $369). Its differentiating features amount to some Nike+ watchfaces and a few very sporty watchbands. There's also the Nike+ Running app, although it's available on the regular Apple Watch, too.

The Apple Watch Nike+

Image: Rill Causey/mashable

Slipping on the Apple Watch Nike+, I really liked how the band felt. I feared the holes would make it feel weird, but that wasn't the case at all. A Basic mode shows your time and pace during the run, while and Advanced mode will let you toggle through various statistics by tapping. Kind of lame that you can't switch between modes during a run, but it's overall a smart feature.

I also tried on the new Hermès Apple Watch bands, both of which are beyond chic and are needlessly complicated — one has two bands while the other combines a a clasp and a buckle. Weird ... yet awesome.

The Hermès Apple Watches have their own specific watchfaces.

Image: Pete Pachal/Mashable

The two new straps for the Hermès Apple Watches are beautiful, comfortable and needlessly complicated.

Image: Rill causey/Mashable

The ceramic version is part of the Apple Watch Edition line. Far from being the an "affordable" Apple Watch for younger people (as my colleague Lance Ulanoff thinks Apple should release), this is exactly the opposite: A $1,249 Apple Watch that exudes the modern design sensibility the company is known for. The attention to detail is impressive: The nub on the strap is a piece of ceramic, too.

The Apple Watch Series 2, which ships with watchOS 3, feels like the smartwatch Apple should have shipped in the first place. And while nothing stood out for me as a must-have feature, the sum of its parts make a excellent case. If they would just throw in cellular connectivity, so I could stay connected when separated from my phone, it would be persuasive. Maybe next year.

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